LYONS, Ore.  — Freres Lumber Co. has been named to Fast Company’s annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2019, ranking as the fifth on the Most Innovative Company List in the Urban Development/Real Estate category.

The list honors the businesses making the most profound impact on both industry and culture, showcasing a variety of ways to thrive in today’s volatile world. Half of the companies on this year’s MIC 50 list are appearing for the first time.

“We are honored to receive this prestigious award and to be recognized for the innovation and application of our invention of Mass Plywood Panel (MPP),” said Rob Freres, president of Freres Lumber.

Freres Lumber’s MPP brings new innovation to the mass timber market, and was recently acknowledged for its revolutionary product with the awards of two new patents in the U.S. and Canada. MPP is the first and only mass timber panel constructed entirely out of Structural Composite Lumber (SCL) worldwide, which means it uses approximately 20 percent less wood, costs less, and is as strong as and lighter weight than competing products. MPP also supports ecofriendly building practices without compromising stability, produces fewer CO2 emissions than other building materials and is renewable, unlike concrete and steel. Oregon State University recently selected MPP to showcase in the construction of two new buildings that are part of its New Advanced Wood Products (AWP) Laboratory.

MPP has stood up to comprehensive industry testing and certifications. MPP received certification from the APA — The Engineered Wood Association under the ANSI/APA PRG 320 standard. This standard covers the manufacturing, qualification and quality assurance requirements for Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT). Additionally, recent industry fire testing verified that MPP demonstrated the necessary life safety fire protection performance for single- and multi-family, and multi-story structures up to 18 stories high.

Fast Company’s editors and writers sought out groundbreaking businesses across 35 industries and every region. They also judged nominations received through their application process.

The World’s Most Innovative Companies is Fast Company’s signature franchise and one of its most highly anticipated editorial efforts of the year. It provides both a snapshot and a road map for the future of innovation across the most dynamic sectors of the economy.

“Established players are showing the same kind of nimbleness that we’ve generally associated with startups,” said Fast Company deputy editor David Lidsky, who oversaw the issue with senior editor Amy Farley.

Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies issue (March-April 2019) is now available online at www.fastcompany.com/MIC, as well as in app form via iTunes and on newsstands beginning February 27. The hashtag is #fcmostinnovative.

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About Freres Lumber Company

Established in 1922, Freres Lumber is among Oregon’s premier engineered wood products manufacturing companies. Specializing in bringing high-quality wood products to market, Freres manufactures finished plywood products, lumber, veneers and structural composite lumber, and continues to transform and modernize building practices with its latest innovation, Mass Plywood Panel (MPP). The company follows sustainable management practices throughout its three operations—Freres Lumber Co., Freres Timber and Evergreen BioPower LCC, using 100 percent of its materials in its products or as fuel. Freres is committed to providing family wage jobs, and operates six wood products facilities, including a cogeneration facility. For more information, visit www.frereslumber.com or call 503-859-2121.